Title

Authors

Date of this Version

6-19-2019

Document Type

Article

Citation

Copyright 2019 Eric Thompson, UNL Bureau of Business Research

Comments

Prepared by the UNL College of Business, Bureau of Business Research

Abstract

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) rose by 0.63% during May of 2019. The increase in the LEI-N, which is designed to predict economic activity six months into the future, implies moderate economic growth in Nebraska through the end of 2019. Strong business expectations were the sole reason for the increase in the leading indicator. Respondents to the May Survey of Nebraska Business reported plans to increase both sales and employment at their businesses over the next six months. Other components were mixed with airport passenger enplanments, initial claims for unemployment insurance and building permits for single-family homes pointing to a rising leading indicator while the value of the U.S. dollar and manufacturing hours were consistent with a falling indicator.